Should I have kids?
If you're on the fence about whether or not to have kids, this is your podcast. Each week, host and Clarity Coach, Keltie Maguire, will interview a wide-ranging host of different voices — from best-selling authors to outdoor adventurers to health experts — about their personal Kids or Childfree decision and the topics that run alongside this choice.
From new and long-time moms to the currently ambivalent to those who are childfree by choice, you'll get to hear the answers to all the questions you can't seem to get straight answers on. What's it really like being a parent? What happens to childfree people when they get old? Do people who don't have kids regret it? Can you ever really be ready to have a child? And perhaps most importantly: How can I make my own Kids or Childfree decision?
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83. Helen Taylor on The Meaning and Legacy of a Childfree Life
Season 6 · Episode 83
Thursday, October 30, 2025 • Duration 01:05:12
In this latest podcast episode, Keltie Maguire speaks with Helen Taylor — feminist, retired university professor, and writer — about her choice to live a childfree life and her new memoir, Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Childfree Life.
Keltie and Helen discuss:
Helen's personal journey of childfree living, including the influences that shaped her decision.
The challenges of choosing the childfree path — and the freedoms it has afforded her.
Helen's abortion experience in early adulthood, and whether she ever thinks about the child she could have had.
How life without children can lead to deeper adult relationships and friendships.
The societal stigmas surrounding childlessness, and the difficulties and blessings of being childfree at age 77
The role that regret, meaning, and legacy play for Helen, as a woman without children.
(1:46) Meet Helen and her Kids or Childfree decision
(10:50) Making the childfree choice 50 years ago, without childfree role models
(20:10) Helen's abortion when she was 19
(29:44) Maternal relationships Helen has had
(35:22) Pros and cons of childfree living; navigating regret and comparison
74. Keltie Maguire on The Key Beliefs I Needed to Change to Make my Kids or Childfree Choice
Season 5 · Episode 74
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 • Duration 19:06
In this solo episode of the Kids or Childfree Podcast, clarity coach Keltie Maguire shares four key beliefs that she had to shift in order to embrace her childfree choice.
(1:18) Belief 1: I will "just know" in a lightbulb moment.
(3:37) Belief 2: There's a right choice and a wrong choice.
(8:34) Belief 3: There is one path to a happy life.
(12:24) Belief 4: I am a victim of my decisions. Life is something that happens to me, not something I choose.
In this conversation, Keltie is speaking with mom, essayist, and author, Elissa Strauss, about her book 'When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others'.
Hear her and Keltie discuss:
Elissa's personal experience with motherhood, including the parts she was most afraid of.
The complexities of caregiving, particularly in the context of motherhood.
How to navigate the challenge of maintaining self-identity while parenting.
How social media is shaping perceptions of motherhood — and the messiness of real-world care.
Why we need a broader understanding of care that transcends traditional roles and highlights the transformative potential of caregiving experiences.
The magic of caring for others — and how we can experience this, no matter what we ultimately choose.
(1:40) Meet Elissa & hear about her path to motherhood
(10:38) Elissa's fears about caregiving as a parent compared to reality
(29:17) How formula feeding changed caregiving for her and her husband
(35:20) Fairytale vs. Nightmare depictions of motherhood
The piece Elissa's husband wrote about the impact of not breastfeeding their kids is here: Tune into the How the Wise One Grows episode featuring Elissa: Tune into the How the Wise One Grows episode featuring Keltie:
72. Dr. Amanda Adeleye, MD on Empowering Fertility Journeys with Knowledge
Season 5 · Episode 72
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 • Duration 01:08:23
In this conversation, fertility expert, Dr. Amanda Adeleye, MD, is sharing the fertility knowledge you need to feel empowered in your Kids or Childfree decision.
This includes...
Common fertility myths and misconceptions
The role of age in fertility, including when your fertility starts to decline
How likely it really is to become pregnant in your mid-30's, at 40, and beyond
Fertility preservation options — including egg and embryo freezing – and who they're suited for
Why understanding personal goals is crucial in making informed family planning decisions
(0:29) Meet Amanda
(5:21) About Roon
(10:00) Information and misinformation about fertility (13:37) endometriosis, (17:21) aging & pregnancy above age 35
(25:10) Amanda's advice for the Kids or Childfree decision
Get details on free health education platform, Roon, at roon.com
Roon is also on Instagram at instagram.com/roonwomenshealth Find Amanda on Roon at Dr. Amanda Adeleye, MD, is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialist. She provides fertility services including IUI, IVF and fertility preservation at the newly opened fertility clinic, CCRM Chicago, where she is the founding partner and Medical Director. She received her Medical Degree from Columbia University, completed her residency at New York Presbyterian - Columbia University, and did her fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Adeleye is committed to improving the educational resources available to all patients to inform them on their fertility journey. As part of this work, she helped to create Roon, a free, trusted health platform founded by doctors to replace unreliable internet searches with expert medical guidance.
71. shawndeez, Ph.D. on Parenthood as a Spiritual Journey
Season 5 · Episode 71
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 • Duration 01:07:50
In this conversation, Keltie Maguire speaks with shawdeez, Ph.D. (he/they), a queer and trans parent, about their journey to parenthood and the transformative experiences that awaited them on the other side of having a child.
shawndeez shares...
The impact of societal gender norms, both on shawndeez's feelings about parenthood and in how these norms can influence anyone making this decision. (1:27)
shawndeez's experience navigating the IVF process as a transmasculine person. (11:38)
The importance of creating a gender-open environment for children that fosters freedom and exploration. (45:54)
The spiritual awakening that can accompany parenthood, and insights into shawndeez's own spiritual journey through parenthood. (18:15)
The significance of connecting with nature, and the pursuit of joy and bliss in parenting. (49:54)
Self-worth and the need to challenge traditional narratives around family and identity.
shawndeez, Ph.D. (he/they) received their doctorate in UCLA's Department of Gender Studies. While at UCLA, they created and led courses on Trans Magic, Queer & Trans Muslim Feminisms, and QTPoC Resistances while simultaneously serving on the Trans Wellness Team, a collective of medical doctors and mental health providers working to provide gender-affirming healthcare to trans students across the UC system. shawndeez's dissertation research explored how queer, trans, and nonbinary individuals engage with the spiritual as a form of resilience, healing, and possibility. They are now a full time public speaker, spiritual guide, and workshop facilitator, offering spiritually-conscious spaces for queer/trans people to lean into their joys. (I can tweak if needed, let me know).
70. Charlotte Holmes on Your Most True and Aligned Self
Season 5 · Episode 70
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 • Duration 01:15:11
In this episode, Keltie speaks with yogi, movement coach, model, and retreat facilitator, Charlotte Holmes, about her journey as a childfree individual and the role self-discovery plays in the Kids or Childfree choice.
You'll hear about:
Charlotte's early decision to remain childfree, and why she's never wavered, despite being confronted with challenging aspects of her choice.
Why she decided to to donate her eggs and how she thinks and feels about this choice.
The power in cultivating the most important relationship you'll ever have in life – the relationship with yourself.
The significance of finding meaning beyond traditional roles.
Why motherhood can take many forms beyond traditional parenting.
Why finding meaning in life doesn't require having children.
(1:32) Meet Charlotte & her confidently childfree choice
(16:55) Charlotte's decision to donate her eggs & the egg donation process
(33:35) Finding your meaning and purpose
(53:50) Applying self-compassion and leaving judgement behind
(57:10) How Charlotte navigated the Kids or Childfree choice in her marriage, divorce, and new love
(1:07:00) Experiencing grief and happiness at the same time
instagram.com/insightout.yoga Join one of Charlotte's upcoming yoga retreats: Here's how Charlotte describes herself: "I have spent 15 years in the wellness space as a movement coach, personal trainer, retreat facilitator, yoga and meditation teacher, fitness model and brand ambassador. My career started as a PT & group fitness instructor and my love of movement and mindfulness led me to Rishikesh, India to study yoga further. I have spent the last 10 years traveling back and forth to India for various trainings and immersions. Now, with over 2000 hours of yoga teacher training experience, I fuse together the rich and diverse practices of the deep Himalayas to bring you movement, mantra, meditation and more. The last few years have seen big life shifts after heartbreak and betrayal when my husband and best friend had an affair. I am now divorced and engaged to the love of my life, living half of the year in India; teaching at a prestigious yoga school in the foothills of the Himalayas and the other half touring Europe with my love sharing yoga, meditation, music and kirtan at retreats, festivals and immersions. Aside that we run an online yoga membership called Insight Out Yoga which provides a sacred sanctuary for all of your spiritual practices including yoga asana, meditation, mantra and breath work. This year i will embark on my 3rd round of egg donation - which as an IVF baby myself has been a beautiful, humbling and necessary journey for me to undertake. My ex husband and I knew on date 1 that neither of us wanted children - but this relationship has meant navigating through the decision not to have children in a new way."
69. Heidi Reimer on The Unspoken Parts of Motherhood
Season 5 · Episode 69
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 • Duration 01:15:13
In the conversation, Keltie is joined by writer and author, Heidi Reimer, to discuss the complexities and ambivalence of motherhood, and Heidi's unique journey to becoming a mom.
You'll hear them discuss:
Heidi's novel, The Mother Act, and how it allowed her to explore her darkest fantasies about abandoning motherhood (2:30)
How Heidi's conservative Christian upbringing influenced her views on womanhood and motherhood (11:20)
How Heidi went from never wanting kids to adopting a child and becoming pregnant at the same time (22:15)
Why motherhood - and especially early motherhood - felt like a trap, and how she feels today, now that her children are nearly grown (41:50)
The importance of discussing and sharing honestly about motherhood - rather than romanticizing it (57:40)
Heidi Reimer is an essayist, novelist, writing coach, and the author of The Mother Act. Her writing interrogates the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they're given to create what they yearn for. Heidi has published in Chatelaine, The New Quarterly, Literary Mama, and the anthologies The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood and Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers. She is from Northern Ontario, Canada, and currently writes in a small town on the St. Lawrence River.
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68. Lucy Meggeson on How to Thrive Solo
Season 5 · Episode 68
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 01:09:49
This week's episode is with podcaster, coach, and author, Lucy Meggeson, on how to thrive as a single woman without kids.
You'll hear Keltie and Lucy discuss...
Lucy's journey to embracing her identity as a single, childfree woman. (12:49)
Societal perceptions of being single and childless, and why these are so often wrong. (19:21)
The need for intentional living and finding fulfillment beyond traditional roles. (37:07)
The joys of being single and childfree and the importance of celebrating this life path. (48:19)
The importance of mindset in personal growth and the journey to embracing a single and childfree life. (1:03:31)
Purchase Lucy's new book, Thrive Solo / Shiny Happy Singles, here: lucymeggeson.com/book
About Lucy:
Lucy Meggeson worked in production at BBC Radio 2 for several years before becoming the host and producer of her own podcast, Thrive Solo (formerly Spinsterhood Reimagined) — a podcast that celebrates all things single, childfree, and personal growth. She's a regular on Jo Good's BBC Radio London show and has been a guest on various other radio and podcasts, including Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 show, Peter McGraw's 'Solo: The Single Person's Guide to a Remarkable Life', and Shani Silver's 'A Single Serving Podcast'. Lucy has had many, many amazing guests on her podcast including Cindy Gallop, Jody Day, Bella DePaulo, Shani Silver, Heidi Clements, Matt Cooke, Nicola Slawson, Jo Good, Peter McGraw, Jill Stark, Polly Vernon, Kate Lister and Ruby Warrington.
67. Stacey Hicks on Being One and Done
Season 5 · Episode 67
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 • Duration 57:07
In this conversation, Keltie speaks with Stacey Hicks — a writer and Deputy Editor at Australian media outlet, Mamamia — about being a mom to one.
The two of them discuss...
The complexities surrounding the decision to have kids and in particular, the choice to have only one child. (6:49)
How being one and done elicits a similar response from other people as being or considering being childfree. (11:57)
The challenges of navigating external expectations while striving to make choices that align with personal values and family dynamics. (25:02)
The joys and challenges of raising an only child. (37:38)
How self-trust and self-knowledge play into the decision about whether to have no kids, one kid, or multiple children. (45:21)
The only child researcher Stacey and I discuss in our conversation is Dr. Rosina McAlpine. About Stacey:
Stacey Hicks is the Deputy Editor for Australia's largest women's media company, Mamamia. After working in magazines for a decade, she made the switch to digital where she loves sharing women's stories across news, lifestyle and parenting. She is also a mum to a glorious four-year-old girl with her husband, who she met in her first media job working at the local newspaper.
She taught English and American literature at three universities – West of England, Warwick and Exeter, where she was Head of English and is now Emeritus Professor. She has published widely on the literature and culture of the American South, as well as British and American women's writing. For many years, she has been a Chair, Curator and participant in many literary festivals, including Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford, Fowey, Budleigh Salterton and Clifton, and she was the first Director of the Liverpool Literature Festival. She is currently writing a book on Daphne du Maurier for the series 'Writers and Their Works'. She lives in Bristol.
About Elissa: Elissa Strauss is the author of When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. She is a journalist, essayist, and opinion writer, and contributes to publications like the New York Times, The Atlantic, Glamour, and elsewhere.
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